143

contending Natives, steps have also been
taken to prepare for Military occupation.
His Excellency will consider it his duty to
represent to the coming Governor, and also
to the General Commanding in chief the
urgent necessity which appears to him to
exist for a Force being stationed at Tara-
naki, such as may not only protect the Eu-
ropean inhabitants, but support the British
authority.

With this feeling His Excellency feels
the propriety of stationing in the Province
of New Plymouth a considerable detach-
ment of Troops (considerable in reference
to the force detailed for the colony) which
coupled with local exertions may in his es-
timation be sufficient to secure the object
in view. If therefore a detachment of 300
men, supported by guns, can be supplied
for this post it will be the duty, as he be-
lieves it will be the disposition of the inha-
bitants, (under the peculiar position of the
Mother country) to lend their cordial aid by
the formation of a local corps, for the arm-
ing of which he will use his utmost endea-
vours to secure the necessary supply of
weapons and ammunition, provided such a
force be placed under the authority and
command of an Officer enjoying the confi-
dence of the General Government. I am to
add that His Excellency will be pleased to
receive from you a nominal return of such
settlers as may wish to enrol themselves for
the sake of self preservation, and for the
purpose of acting in conjunction with Her
Majesty's Forces when placed in position,
and for which purpose no unnecessary time
will be lost, although this moment may be
considered most unfortunate—a moment
when the Military in New Zealand are un-
dergoing a change in disposition, although
not in actual numbers.

A copy of this communication, as also a
copy of His Excellency's enquiries during
his stay in Taranaki, will be furnished to
the Secretary of State, and laid before the
new Governor on his arrival, and I am di-
rected to add that any suggestions the con-
stituted authorities of New Plymouth may
be disposed to introduce to his notice shall
meet with his best consideration.

His Excellency, from his enquiries, does
not apprehend any immediate annoyance to
the inhabitants from the existing state of
things, although at the same time he thinks
it advisable to leave his admonition that the
Europeans should studiously avoid all in-
terference whatever with the differences ex-
isting between the Natives, in order that
they may have no cause whatever to justify
any, the slightest, molestation.

The feeling of the inhabitants has so far
merited his highest approval, and from their
display of forbearance he attributes the all
but universal attachment of the Natives to
the settlers on the soil from whom they de-
rive so many and such substantial advan-
tages.

His Excellency has requested me to draw
your special notice to the cordial support
and candid information he has, during his
sojourn received from Tahana, Raniera, and
Tamati Wiremu, Native Assessors, in whom
the utmost confidence he considers may be
placed.

He also wishes me to remark that the
feelings of William King have been deci-
dedly for peace, and for the preservation of
a good understanding with the Europeans;
and that even Katatore has been anxious to
assist him in his undertaking so far as to
relinquish to the Crown the boundary in
dispute up to the Mangoraka River. Ihaia
has also evinced his desire for peace, thus
reducing the numbers positively inimical to
an adjustment, to a few in the Hau Pah,
with whom, however, Arama Karaka has
now announced his disposition to unite.

I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) J. J. TRAVERS,
To His Honor Private Secretary.
The Superintendent,
New Plymouth.

New Plymouth, April 10, 1855.

Sir,—I am directed by His Excellency
to express, on leaving Taranaki, his sense
of the welcome and courteous attention he
has received from you and several of the
inhabitants during his sojourn in the settle-
ment; and he requests you will receive his
assurance to forward as far as lies in his
power the advancement, security, and pros-
perity of this promising Province.

I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) J. J. TRAVERS,
Private Secretary.
His Honor The Superintendent.

Superintendent's Office,
21st April, 1855.

HIS Excellency the Officer administer-
ing the Government having requested
to be supplied with a nominal return of such
settlers as may wish to enrol themselves in
a local corps for the purpose of acting in
conjunction with Her Majesty's Forces when
placed in position, the Superintendent calls
on the settlers of the Province to enrol
themselves and support the Government of
the colony, on the grounds so forcibly stated
in the preceding Despatch of His Excel-
lency's Private Secretary of the 7th instant.

The Superintendent will submit the fol-
lowing propositions for the approval of His
Excellency.

The Officer in command of the Corps
shall be appointed by the Governor and shall
exercise the same authority as a similar
position would confer in Her Majesty's
Forces.

The Corps shall consist of a